Written Answers Thursday 2 April 2009

Scottish Executive

Access for Disabled People

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much is charged for a Blue Badge parking permit, broken down by local authority.

Stewart Stevenson: Local authorities can, if they wish to, charge an applicant between £2 and £20 for the issue of a blue badge. Deciding how much to charge is a matter for each local authority. Information relating to how much each local authority charges is not held centrally.

Airports

Charlie Gordon (Glasgow Cathcart) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how it will respond to the implications for Scotland arising from the final report of the Competition Commission’s BAA airports market investigation.

Stewart Stevenson: Competition in the airport sector can drive investment, innovation and the further development of Scotland’s direct international air links. This can make Scotland more accessible for inbound tourists and can improve business connectivity, contribution to sustainable growth in the Scottish economy.

Alcohol Misuse

Sandra White (Glasgow) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive what assessment has been made of the impact of alcohol and football-related violence across Scotland.

Kenny MacAskill: The extent of alcohol misuse in Scotland means that we need to tackle this head on. That is why we have set out a robust and proportionate package of measures to rebalance Scotland’s relationship with alcohol, reduce alcohol-related harm and contribute to a successful and flourishing Scotland.

  I discussed this issue with the Chief Constable of Strathclyde Police just last week. There is no excuse for violent behaviour in Scotland, either in our communities or in our football grounds. The Scottish Government is continuing to work in partnership with the national Violence Reduction Unit to tackle this issue head on.

  We are committed to supporting the police, football clubs, the NHS, and local authorities, through improved use of football banning orders, and the expansion of diversionary activities through our Cashback scheme to divert young people away from this culture.

Bankruptcy

Gavin Brown (Lothians) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive how many people were declared bankrupt in the last quarter of 2008, also broken down by sheriffdom.

Fergus Ewing: The Accountant in Bankruptcy maintains the Register of Insolvencies in Scotland and publishes statistics on personal insolvencies in Scotland quarterly on their website, and by financial year in their annual report.

  Since 1 April 2008, whilst creditor petitions are still considered by the sheriff, the Accountant in Bankruptcy has responsibility for debtor applications and records all awards of bankruptcy by sheriffdom area.

  The following table provides the number of bankruptcies for the last quarter of 2008 (1 October to 31 December). There has been a significant increase in the number of people becoming bankrupt in Scotland during this financial year compared to previous years due to the bankruptcy reforms contained in the Bankruptcy and Diligence etc. (Scotland) Act 2007, which were implemented on 1 April 2008.

  Further information, including the annual reports, is available on the Accountant in Bankruptcy’s website at www.aib.gov.uk.

  2008-09 3rd Quarter

  

 Sheriffdom (Sheriff Court)
 


 Grampian Highland and Islands
 


Awarded by AiB
368


 Aberdeen
 19


 Banff
 6


 Dingwall
 5


 Dornoch 
 1


 Elgin
 8


 Fort William
 1


 Inverness
 13


 Kirkwall
 0


 Lerwick
 2


 Lochmaddy
 2


 Peterhead
 15


 Portree
 0


 Stonehaven
 4


 Stornoway
 4


 Tain
 1


 Wick
 0


 Total Awards for Sheriffdom
 449


 Lothian and Borders
 


Awarded by AiB
415


 Duns
 1


 Edinburgh
 61


 Haddington
 39


 Jedburgh
 5


 Linlithgow
 16


 Peebles
 1


 Selkirk
 1


 Total Awards for Sheriffdom
 539


 North Strathclyde
 


Awarded by AiB
708


 Campbeltown
 4


 Dumbarton
 27


 Dunoon
 0


 Greenock
 12


 Kilmarnock
 31


 Oban
 1


 Paisley
 35


 Rothesay
 0


 Total Awards for Sheriffdom
 818


 Glasgow and Strathkelvin
 


Awarded by AiB
638


 Glasgow
 126


 Total Awards for Sheriffdom
 764


 South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway
 


Awarded by AiB
290


 Airdrie
 27


 Ayr
 20


 Dumfries
 14


 Hamilton
 91


 Kirkcudbright
 4


 Lanark
 6


 Stranraer
 2


 Total Awards for Sheriffdom
 454


 Tayside, Central and Fife
 


Awarded by AiB
697


 Alloa
 1


 Arbroath
 7


 Cupar
 8


 Dundee
 45


 Dunfermline
 9


 Falkirk
 18


 Forfar
 1


 Kirkcaldy
 24


 Perth
 14


 Stirling
 12


 Total Awards for Sheriffdom
 836


 Total for Q3 of 2008-09
 3,860

Climate Change (Scotland) Bill

Malcolm Chisholm (Edinburgh North and Leith) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what action it will take to strengthen the emissions reduction targets for 2010 to 2020 proposed in the Climate Change (Scotland) Bill.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government intend to bring forward an amendment at Stage 2 to introduce a new 2020 target in the bill thereby strengthening the incentive for early action.

Concessionary Travel

Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-3432 by Stewart Stevenson on 3 September 2007, how many Scottish national entitlement card holders have qualified for a concessionary travel companion card since August 2007, broken down by local authority area.

Stewart Stevenson: Information available to Transport Scotland indicates that as of 27 February 2009 there were 1,122,846 valid National Entitlement Cards in circulation giving access to Scotland-Wide Free Bus Travel for Older and Disabled People.

  The following table shows the number of National Entitlement Card holders who qualify for the companion entitlement as of 27 February 2009, broken down by local authority. The total number currently in circulation is 104,277.

  

 Local Authority
 Category of Disabled Plus Companion
 Eligibility Visually Impaired Plus Companion
 Totals


 Aberdeen City
 2,282
 583
 2,865


 Aberdeenshire
 1,512
 403
 1,915


 Angus
 660
 137
 797


 Argyll and Bute
 1,272
 202
 1,474


 City of Edinburgh
 9,167
 1,188
 10,355


 Clackmannanshire
 547
 58
 605


 Comhairle nan Eilean Siar
 149
 20
 169


 Dumfries and Galloway
 1,207
 429
 1,636


 Dundee City
 2,445
 405
 2,850


 East Ayrshire
 2,472
 231
 2,703


 East Dunbartonshire
 1,121
 149
 1,270


 East Lothian
 1,674
 226
 1,900


 East Renfrewshire
 955
 110
 1,065


 Falkirk
 1,391
 290
 1,681


 Fife
 12,810
 881
 13,691


 Glasgow
 17,618
 1,475
 19,093


 Highland
 1,915
 562
 2,477


 Inverclyde
 2,256
 209
 2,465


 Midlothian
 1,626
 232
 1,858


 Moray
 703
 180
 883


 North Ayrshire
 2,953
 361
 3,314


 North Lanarkshire
 6,665
 536
 7,201


 Orkney Islands
 213
 19
 232


 Perth and Kinross
 953
 252
 1,205


 Renfrewshire
 3,577
 379
 3,956


 Scottish Borders
 861
 221
 1,082


 Shetland Islands
 228
 24
 252


 South Ayrshire
 2,047
 265
 2,312


 South Lanarkshire
 5,794
 601
 6,395


 Stirling
 611
 133
 744


 West Dunbartonshire
 2,292
 242
 2,534


 West Lothian
 3,029
 269
 3,298


 Totals
 93,005
 11,272
 104,277

Digital Technology

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress has been made by the Broadband Reach Project to bring broadband to people who are unable to secure a reliable service due to distance from a telephone exchange.

Jim Mather: The Scottish Government has made significant progress in deployment of the Broadband Reach Project which is on track for project completion in May 2009.

  As of 22 March 2009, Avanti has completed 1287 installations with another 726 orders in progress. In the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley parliamentary constituency, 60 installations have been completed with another 14 orders in progress.

Digital Technology

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many of the 4,000 premises connected to broadband as a result of the Broadband Reach Project are in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley parliamentary constituency.

Jim Mather: The Broadband Reach Project is using satellite and wireless technology to deliver an affordable, basic broadband to those eligible households and businesses which have made us aware of their broadband need. The project is due to conclude in May 2009. Over 4,000 eligible premises are currently registered on the Scottish Government’s database and all of these will be provided with a service if they wish to take it.

  As of 22 March 2009, 60 installations have been completed in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley parliamentary constituency, with another 14 orders in progress.

Digital Technology

Cathy Jamieson (Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how many homes in the Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley parliamentary constituency eligible for the Broadband Reach Project have not registered.

Jim Mather: This information is not held by the Scottish Government. Eligibility for inclusion in the Broadband Reach Project is only ascertained after registration, therefore properties which have not registered are not assessed for eligibility.

Drug Misuse

Richard Baker (North East Scotland) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what research it has recently undertaken into drug misuse among students.

Fergus Ewing: The Scottish Crime and Justice Survey gives an indication of illicit drug use in those aged 16 years and above, although this excludes those living in communal accommodation such as student halls.

  The Scottish Government is currently engaged in a comprehensive review of drug misuse research and information on behalf of the Scottish Advisory Committee on Drugs Misuse (SACDM) National Drug Evidence Group. This expert group will advise Scottish ministers on research priorities required to deliver the national drugs strategy. The review includes assessment of the current evidence base on students and other populations.

Education

Claire Baker (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what the cumulative total number of subjects offered by publicly funded schools was at (a) higher and (b) advanced higher level in 2008-09 and the previous five years, broken down by local authority area and school.

Keith Brown: Copies of the requested data are available from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (Bib. number 47914).

Elections

Jim Tolson (Dunfermline West) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what financial support will be provided to local authorities for the proposed decoupling of the local government and Scottish Parliament elections.

Bruce Crawford: The Financial Memorandum for the Scottish Local Government (Elections) Bill estimates the additional costs which will fall on local authorities as a result of decoupling. These costs will be incurred in 2012-13. Funding arrangements will be a matter for discussion between the government and COSLA in the context of the next spending review.

Enterprise

Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive what progress is being made in implementing Scottish Borders Council’s economic recovery plan to help towns that have recently suffered job losses in the textiles sector, such as Hawick and Jedburgh.

Jim Mather: Through our Government Economic Strategy and our six-point programme for economic recovery we are using all the levers at our disposal to assist businesses and individuals and position our economy to take early advantage of the recovery.

  This includes the acceleration of nearly £293 million in capital expenditure into 2009-10, on top of £30 million in 2008-09, supporting 5,800 jobs across Scotland.

  The current downturn presents challenges for the Scottish Borders area as elsewhere in Scotland, but all local partners including Scottish Enterprise and the local authority are actively pursuing a comprehensive and fully engaged economic strategy for the area together with the overarching South of Scotland Competitiveness Strategy, which sets out a clear direction and vision for the area going forward.

Ferry Services

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the economic downturn may have resulted in more ferries being available worldwide that could have potential use on a Lochboisdale to Mallaig route.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will direct Caledonian MacBrayne Ltd and Caledonian Maritime Assets Ltd to institute another search for a vessel suitable for the potential Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry route.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether any progress has been made in securing a Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry route and when ministers expect to make an announcement on this.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether a Lochboisdale to Mallaig ferry route is being considered as part of the Ferries Review and, if so, whether it expects a recommendation regarding this route.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government’s consideration of a standalone ferry service between Lochboisdale and Mallaig concluded on 5 December 2008 when officials wrote to Storas Uibhist to advise that we would consider the matter in the context of the Scottish Ferries Review.

  We are considering the long-term future for ferry services for Barra and South Uist, however the review will cover all domestic ferry services in Scotland. The Scottish Ferry Review will determine a long-term strategy for ferry services in Scotland to 2022.

Ministerial Correspondence

Johann Lamont (Glasgow Pollok) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, further to the answer to question S3W-21797 by Bruce Crawford on 13 March 2009, what its performance was in answering ministerial correspondence in the fourth quarter of 2008, broken down by minister.

Bruce Crawford: The performance in answering ministerial correspondence in the fourth quarter of 2008, broken down by minister, is given in the following table:

  

 Minister
 No. of Cases Received
 Number of Final Replies Issued within 20 Days
 Performance on Correspondence Replies Issued within 20 Days.


 Alex Salmond
 248
 234
 94%


 Bruce Crawford
 25
 21
 84%


 Linda Fabiani
 250
 237
 95%


 John Swinney
 330
 308
 93%


 Jim Mather
 552
 531
 96%


 Stewart Stevenson
 1,443
 1,402
 97%


 Fiona Hyslop
 282
 275
 98%


 Maureen Watt
 240
 229
 95%


 Adam Ingram
 158
 146
 92%


 Nicola Sturgeon
 936
 905
 97%


 Shona Robison
 485
 455
 94%


 Stewart Maxwell
 677
 639
 94%


 Kenny MacAskill
 347
 330
 95%


 Fergus Ewing
 251
 228
 91%


 Richard Lochhead
 2,341
 2,296
 98%


 Michael Russell
 937
 912
 97%


 Total
 9,502
 9,148
 96%

Pensions

Joe FitzPatrick (Dundee West) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive whether the Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Sustainable Growth will provide an update on his statement of 16 December 2008 concerning the overpayment of public sector pensions.

John Swinney: The Scottish Public Pensions Agency (SPPA), which administers the NHS and Teachers’ Pension Schemes in Scotland, was informed by the UK National Insurance Contribution Office (NICO) on 23 January 2009 that a further tranche of erroneous pension payments had been identified. This new issue affects public service schemes across the UK and not just those administered by the SPPA.

  Based on further examination of data provided by NICO, the SPPA has established that an additional 421 members of the Scottish Teachers’ Superannuation Scheme (STSS) and 287 members of the Scottish National Health Service Pension Scheme have received overpayments of their pension. The average value of these overpayments is £317, which is split £291 for NHS pensioners and £334 for STSS pensioners. The total value of these new overpayments as at the end of March 2009 is £1.17 million. The number of pensioners affected by this latest development represents around 0.5% of all the pensioners within the NHS and teachers pension schemes.

  When combined with the figures announced on 16 December, a total of 6717 pensioners within these two schemes are affected. This equates to 5.2% of all pensioners within these schemes.

  The SPPA will now write to those affected by this latest development informing them of the action being taken. That action, which is consistent with my statement of 16 December, is to write off all past overpayments and to ensure that the correct pension is put in place as soon as is practicable. The agency has established a helpline for those affected and also placed advice and guidance on its website.

  I have also written to the UK Government expressing my serious concern at this development and about the robustness of the data provided to public pension administrators by NICO. I have requested an assurance that the independent review of the issue, announced by the UK Government in December, is extended in order to address this latest unsatisfactory development.

  I can also report that following the statutory consultation on the proposed amendments to the Scottish police, fire and local government pension schemes, revised secondary legislation will be brought before the House shortly. The SPPA will at that time write to appropriate pension fund managers with the details.

Physical Education

Mary Scanlon (Highlands and Islands) (Con): To ask the Scottish Executive what definition of physical activity it uses when communicating with schools.

Keith Brown: Let’s make Scotland More Active: A strategy for physical activity (2003) acknowledges that physical activity is a general term which encompasses active living, recreational activity, sport, exercise, play and dance. This will be reflected in the material which will support Curriculum for Excellence and in particular the physical education, physical activity and sport strands of the health and wellbeing experiences and outcomes.

  The support material will include definitions and advice on particular experiences and outcomes. This includes the definition of moderate activity as being of sufficient intensity to raise heart and respiration rates characterised by being slightly out of breath and having a raised body temperature. Vigorous activity is defined as being of an intensity to significantly raise the heart and respiration rate characterised by being breathless and perspiring.

Rail Network

Dr Richard Simpson (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will publish all details of the £2.5 billion rail contract awarded to FirstGroup plc.

Stewart Stevenson: The terms of the First ScotRail franchise contract, including any variations or derogations, is contained in Transport Scotland’s Public Register, available at:

  www.transportscotland.gov.uk/rail/rail-industry-in-scotland/public-register.

Rail Network

Christopher Harvie (Mid Scotland and Fife) (SNP): To ask the Scottish Executive when it will publish the consultation report on initiatives related to the ScotRail franchise extension.

Stewart Stevenson: The report into the consultation on initiatives related to the ScotRail franchise extension will be published today.

  Based on the results of the consultation I intend to discharge my obligation under the motion as amended during the debate on the ScotRail Franchise on 11 December 2008 by writing to the Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change Committee to advise them of my intention to begin the process which will allow implementation of the remaining priced options.

  Copies of the consultation analysis report have been placed in the Scottish Parliament’s Information Centre (Bib number 47913).

Scottish Water

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what provisions there are for Scottish Water to hold a reserve financed by out-performance of targets and expectations set for it.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what discretion ministers have to vary the purposes and uses for which Scottish Water may hold financial reserves.

Stewart Stevenson: As part of the 2006-10 price setting process, the Scottish Government agreed with the Water Industry Commission for Scotland that Scottish Water’s out-performance of the regulatory settlement would be built up into a financial buffer. The Scottish Government subsequently gave directions to Scottish Water on the investment of out-performance – these directions form part of The Scottish Water Governance Directions 2008 and can be view at:

  http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/917/0063040.pdf.

Scottish Water

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive how much is held by Scottish Water in any reserve financed by out-performance of targets and expectations set for it or for any other reason.

Stewart Stevenson: The final assessment of out-performance can not occur until after the end of the regulatory period. At the end of 2007-08 Scottish Water’s accounts show a cash balance of £80 million. These accounts can be viewed at:

  http://www.scottishwater.co.uk/portal/page/portal/55DF618364141C46E0440003BA475CA3.

Scottish Water

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether Scottish Water has applied to ministers for approval to utilise any part of a financial reserve and, if so, when such an application was made and for what purposes.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it has used powers of direction to require Scottish Water to utilise any part of a financial reserve held by it.

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will consider directing Scottish Water to utilise any financial reserves for the purpose of advancing works in order to maintain employment and protect apprentices employed by approved contractors to Scottish Water.

Stewart Stevenson: The Scottish Government has requested Scottish Water to deliver as much efficient investment as possible by March 2010 and to utilise all the available sources of funding to achieve this. Scottish Water’s Delivery Plan update for 2009-10 reflects this.

Scottish Water

Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it considers that utilising part or all of any financial reserve held by Scottish Water for the purpose of advancing works would be an appropriate response to current economic circumstances and a way of maintaining employment and protecting apprentices employed by approved contractors to Scottish Water.

Stewart Stevenson: The government is doing everything in our powers to make sure the Scottish economy is in as robust shape as possible. As part of this, we will ensure that all the resources at our disposal, including those available to Scottish Water, are used in the most effective manner to support jobs and vital improvements to Scotland’s infrastructure.

Sport

Mr Frank McAveety (Glasgow Shettleston) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive what funding it provides to support sporting activities for disabled people.

Shona Robison: The Scottish Government provides funding for disability sport through sportscotland to Scottish Disability Sport (SDS), the governing body. sportscotland has informed me that last year they awarded £276,750 towards coaching; performance development; administration, and advice and guidance on the development of facilities for athletes with disability.

  I understand that sportscotland is currently discussing the funding requirements for 2009-10 and hope to inform SDS of the outcome shortly.

Teachers

Ken Macintosh (Eastwood) (Lab): To ask the Scottish Executive, in light of the SNP manifesto commitment to maintain teacher numbers, what steps it is taking following publication of the latest statistics revealing a decline in teacher numbers of just under 1,000.

Adam Ingram: Councils are reporting education budgets increasing in real terms. Ministers will be meeting COSLA to discuss the results of the teacher census statistics for September 2008 and their implications.